A year and a half after being arrested, former Florence City Manager Michael Patterson was sentenced to 24 months of standard probation in the Jan. 12 session of Fremont County Judicial District 11.
“The sentence I'm going to impose in the case, I understand the arguments regarding sex offense specific treatment, I'm not going to order those at this time,” said Judge Lynette Wanner. “I certainly understand the circumstances and the harm that Mr. Patterson has committed and certainly will expect compliance with the conditions I'm going to set out at this point. As to count 4, the alcohol to a minor, a class 1 misdemeanor, I am finding him guilty of that count and also guilty of the other count 5, harassment --- strike, shove or kick. I am going to impose a supervised probation of two years, 24 months total.The defendant's lawyer had requested that offense specific treatment not be imposed on him because Patterson had pled guilty to the two misdemeanors.
“The defendant is required to comply to all standard conditions of probation. He will be ordered to continue mental health treatment counseling until deemed appropriate for discharge by the treatment provider and supervising probation officer,” she added. “He will complete letters of apology to all victims of record with approval of the victim's service officer unless addressed in other treatments. He'll have to complete a cognitive behavioral treatment programs, such as moral recognition therapy (MRT) unless the defendant is ordered to and he's not being ordered to complete the offense specific treatment as requested.”
The defendant's lawyer had requested that offense specific treatment not be imposed on him because Patterson had not pled guilty to the felony.
There will be an assessment of a $45 for substance abuse screening fee and at this point, there was a request to do daily reporting with an electronic home monitor to be used at the discretion of the supervising probation officer.
“I'll order that, but it's not required unless it's imposed by the probation officer,” Wanner said.
As far as restitution goes, there has not been any amount has been set yet. After it is totaled, the defense will have s 21 days to object.
“Any remaining counts will be dismissed,” Wanner continued. “You may not understand the (harm the victims have suffered). The fact they had to tolerate the behavior in order to be employed is awful and I understand completely the challenges they faced. I admire Ms. Ardrey's commitment to proceeding to get as much attention as she could in matters so the whole system could be changed, hopefully in the future so employees could just go to work without having to deal with employer's bad behavior in order to be employed.
“It's just deplorable and when you ultimately recognize that level of harm and imagine for yourself what it would be like to have employed at work in a chosen deal, to have a good job, but you cannot stand going to work because you have to work with somebody who is not appropriate in some cases; obviously completely inappropriately and showing threatening behavior to the point they have to move out of the community and relocate from the town that should be totally acceptable to all people. Hopefully this whole system will be changed for the better, but that also requires you and your own person to make those changes and understand the harm you've caused so it doesn't happen again around you. But also, you can set an example going forward to other people and other can disband under circumstances. It's totally unfortunate, but unfortunately, it's not uncommon either.”
During the procedure, Shay Ardrey's statement was read in court, stating the harassment began in the first week of employment. No matter how she resisted, dismissed it and flat out told him no, the harassment continued.
However, her words were more or less unheard when Patterson's lawyer argued for the standard probation of 24 months be imposed.
In August, Patterson pled not guilty to six charges; however, since then he struck a deal with prosecutors in the 4th Judicial District Attorney's office. As part of the plea bargain, the court dismissed two felony stalking charges, a misdemeanor sexual contact without consent and misdemeanor harassment charges on Oct. 20, 2022.
The behavior became known after an incident that allegedly happened on Aug. 30, 2021. After a two-hour executive session, the Florence City Council unanimously voted on Aug. 31, 2021, to terminate Mike Patterson as city manager, effective immediately.
After conducting an investigation, the Florence Police Department issued a warrant for his arrest on Nov. 3, 2021. On Nov. 15, 2021, Patterson was arrested at the Denver International Airport by the Denver Police Department with the assistance of the Department of Homeland Security, according to a press release from the Florence Police Department. Shortly thereafter, Patterson was transported to Fremont County Jail, charged with two felonies and four misdemeanors.